CHAPTER 21
Tyson
Tyson sat on the couch in the living room, waiting for Gabrielle to come downstairs.
He’d been unable to stop thinking about the kiss they’d shared this morning.
Her taste had lingered on his tongue. Even after a shower and a fresh change of clothes, her scent lingered as if it was embedded in his nostrils.
He could still feel her lips against his and taste the warmth of her tongue that he wanted to feel again.
This was madness.
He hadn’t been with a woman in three years, and to have Gabrielle there with him sharing his time, space, and meals made him realize how much he missed being in a relationship.
How much he missed being in love.
Is that what this was? Love?
He had considered that it could be, but for one to truly love another person, they must be sure of what it was they were feeling.
He was helping her, taking her from a bad situation.
He provided a safe environment for her. A new beginning.
Was he getting those things confused with love?
That’s what he was unsure of at the moment.
And to add to that uncertainty, Gabrielle had been with Dilvan for six months. Was she truly over that situation?
Only she knew the answer to that.
Still, he recognized that for the last three months, it felt more like he was courting her. Getting to know her. They’ve done a lot of that – getting to know each other, but it was last night that he found out what her lips tasted like – tasted like he wanted another taste.
And one after that.
And one after that.
Tyson scooted to the edge of the seat and rubbed his hands together. He had to admit to himself that he enjoyed Gabrielle’s company – their runs on the beach, cooking together, even their deep conversations. What he didn’t like was how often she brought up Dilvan’s name.
For a man who’d caused her so much pain, Dilvan was always on her mind like she wasn’t completely over him. He suspected that this was the case, but he wouldn’t bring it up unless she did.
Tyson stood up when he heard Gabrielle coming downstairs. Once she was in view, he noticed that she had on a pair of black slacks, a long-sleeved, low-cut pink blouse, and a pair of black loafers.
“You look nice.”
“Thanks.”
“Don’t you think you’re a bit overdressed to be working in a garden?”
“We’re going to talk about the garden. I don’t think we’re working on it today.”
“Oh, okay. Well, if you’re ready, we can go.”
“I’m ready,” Gabrielle told him.
* * *
The thirty-minute drive to Padma’s house was a quiet one.
Tyson was at a loss for words when usually he was conversational.
Gabrielle hadn’t said a word either, Tyson noticed.
She just sat tight-lipped and stared out of the window, probably doing the exact same thing he was doing – reliving the morning they’d shared.
But was she regretting it? He wasn’t, but he needed to know how she really felt about it.
He pulled up behind Padma’s car, shifted his Range in park, and asked, “I know it was a rather interesting morning, but did you remember to grab your phone?”
Gabrielle rummaged around in her purse. “Yes, I have it, although I’ll probably get Padma to drop me off.”
“Okay. Well, you know the routine–call me if you need me.”
Gabrielle smiled. “I will.” She reached for the door handle.
Tyson grabbed her left hand. “I got that, remember?”
“Oh. Yes.”
He got out and walked around to get her door. When he opened it, he reached for her hand to help her out.
She looked at him, glancing briefly at his lips.
He said, “We need to talk about this morning.”
She nodded. “Yes, we do.”
Tyson kissed the backside of her hand. “Call me if you need me, Gabrielle.”
“I will.”
Tyson slid his hands into his pockets as he watched her walk toward the door.
He didn’t get inside until she was successfully inside Padma’s home.
Something felt off. To share such a passionate kiss that ended up leading to an awkward drive wasn’t what he expected.
Maybe she was just nervous. He would find out later.